Page 17 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol3 No3

HOW GREEN ARE OUR VALLEYS?

Mr Justin Mackrory , CEO Ugu South provide approximately 65km It appears that part of the and heritage orientated assets River complex, Impenjati, Ingeli
Coast Tourism of trail linking the coast to trail area in the valley system inland. Recently at our Port (the second largest indigenous
the hinterland and utilising involves some really impressive Shepstone Member’s Meet and forest in KZN) and the Vernon
locally managed properties and precipitous river gorges Greet, local environmentalist Crookes Nature Reserve near
resently Ugu South Coast with waterfalls and vegetated Paddy Norman did a brief
Tourism in conjunction in traditional areas as hosted presentation of some of our Umzinto but as pointed out by
Pwith the Ugu South Coast overnight stops for hikers. landscapes which in due course unheralded green assets and Paddy there are a multitude of
can be presented to our outdoor
Development Agency is working Howard Kelly who sits on our markets and have a great astonishingly he indicated that almost unknown gems (some
on new trail concept called the Board recently jumped into a educational value as well. there are over 35 conservation larger than 2 000 hectares) that
Umzumbe River Trail which helicopter in order to take visuals properties on public and private can be visited by arrangement
we anticipate could become and geo-plot key elements of the So often when one lives in areas land that have immense nature or through conservancy groups
akin to the famed Otter Trail that have outstanding tourism based tourism potential. (and we have a number of
in the Cape. proposed trail and his initial committed groups of people up
observations indicate our inland assets (in our case the beaches and down the coast). Even in
Yes we all know about the
This eco-cultural project areas have pockets of outstanding and ocean) one can lose sight of iconic Oribi Gorge, Umtamvuna built up areas such as Uvongo
will when launched will cultural, natural and scenic value. the richness of other terrestrial (Skyline Nature Reserve) and
Southport there are little green
treasure chests that will surprise
and impress. There is an ever
increasing interest in activities
like birding, flora and fauna
excursions and just healthy
exercise in places of natural
beauty. Indeed sites in which to
rejuvenate and appreciate.

I guess it’s time to drag out
those dusty veldskoens, don the
faded rugby socks, not so trendy
khaki gear then load up the old
canvass rucksack and head for
the hills- we all I am sure may
get an even greater appreciation
of what our greater South Coast
has to offer.

Our green tourism is the way. 

ceo@tourismsouthcoast.co.za
Umzumbe, Umkomaas, St. Lucia - Reaching the end of our epic South Africa journey

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2017

he Durban International for the festival is “Transit Tales”, “As the East African saying possibly promote co-productions. The DIFF awards take place on
Film Festival (DIFF) has with a number of films capturing goes, unless lions have their own This will see the screening of the 22nd of July, a day before the
Tannounced a strong focus the emotive stories of human historians, all tales about the hunt several Kenyan films at the festival. closing film draws the curtain on
on development, women, and displacement as result of war and will always glorify the hunter,” this year’s edition of the festival.
‘tales of transit’ during the festival catastrophic events. It is the vision she says in a proverbial reference The festival will run from the The awards are where the most
next month. of DIFF’s newly appointed Festival to male domination in ownership 13th-23rd of July, returning to its outstanding film submissions and
Manager, Chipo Zhou, for the and control of media companies. original dates (2nd week of July) filmmakers are honoured. 
Ster Kinekor Musgrave and festival to reinvent what it is to be It is a remarkable milestone that after taking place in June last year
Gateway as well as the Playhouse a film festival within the African we have some strong female-led due to the 2016 AIDS Conference For more information on the DIFF 2017
have been confirmed as venues context, and to set an industry films this year. held in Durban. Dates for the next and the Centre for Creative Arts please
for the premier and commercial standard for the inclusion of three years have been secured to contact Noluthando Lamula- Centre for
screenings; while the outreach women and women-led films. As Consistent with the special focus ensure the festival continues to take Creative Arts Publications Officer
programme will see screenings such the festival has a special focus on women is the Durban Film place in July. Tel: 031 260 1650
E-mail: lamulan@ukzn.ac.za
take place in film schools and on African content and women- Mart’s programme which will
townships including K-cap led films. feature a session on women-led
(Theatre)- KwaMashu, Luthuli “We have to redefine what and film conversations with Tilane
Jones, executive director at
Museum- Groutville, Qashana who tells the tales in society as that ARRAY, as well as a women-led
Khuzwayo Library, Westville has a significant role in how people film media breakfast.
Correctional Services, Ohlange learn and understand the world,
Library- Inanda, Creative Arts particularly the African continent” The DIFF will go a long way in
College, Wushwini Arts Centre, says Zhou. contributing to Africa’s Aspiration
Umlazi Library, Lamontville, 5 of Agenda 2063 where the
uShaka Marine , Max’s Lifetyle, “The festival this year is giving role of film in fostering a strong
History Museum, Bay of Plenty women a platform to take African identity is concerned. The
Lawns. The weeklong programme ownership of our stories, the continent has risen to the occasion
entails screenings and some origins of our stories and how they this year with a significant upward
workshops aimed at ensuring not are told. We have the opportunity jump not only in the number of
just city-wide participation in the to reconstruct our narrative as submissions but also the quality
festival but also engaging locally- such that we re-socialise society of the films. In keeping with the
based prospective film makers. in order that it reconceives African film focus, the KZN Film
perceptions about women Commission will host a delegation
In a world in which people find especially in the wake of the of Kenyan filmmakers to foster
themselves displaced and seeking brutality against women we have relations between the two countries
refuge in foreign lands, the theme seen in South Africa recently.” in the context of film, and to

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